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Reuters

Paul Pogba repaid some of his world record transfer fee with two goals as Manchester United rediscovered their early-season shine, cruising to a 4-1 Europa League win over Fenerbahce to go top of their group on Thursday.
Pogba, criticised following a subdued display in United’s goalless draw at Liverpool on Monday, scored a penalty and rifled United’s third into the top corner.
Anthony Martial also netted from the spot and Jesse Lingard fired home in the second half before former Old Trafford favourite Robin van Persie pulled one back for Fenerbahce.
“Two days ago, he [Pogba] was the worst player of the Premier League and 48 hours later he is phenomenal,” Jose Mourinho said sarcastically.
“He needs time,” the manager said of the midfielder he signed for 89 million pounds (US$109.04 million) in the close season.
“To be in Italy for four or five years ... I was not expecting it to be a click of the fingers for intensity.”
Inter Milan and AS Roma, though, had more testing evenings.
Coach Frank de Boer breathed a sigh of relief when Inter survived an onslaught from Southampton to end a three-match losing streak with a 1-0 victory while Roma conceded twice late on to draw 3-3 at home to Austria Vienna.
Three sides have perfect records after three matches, Shakhtar Donetsk, Schalke 04 and Zenit St Petersburg all winning to move to the brink of the knockout rounds.
United have six points in group A after a morale-boosting performance ahead of Mourinho’s return to former club Chelsea on Sunday.
They went ahead in the 31st minute when Juan Mata was tripped in the area.
Regular penalty taker Wayne Rooney was on the pitch and needed one goal to join Ruud van Nistelrooy as United’s all-time top scorer in Europe but Pogba took the ball and converted from the spot.
The hosts were handed a second penalty less than three minutes later and Martial took responsibility this time before Pogba lashed home a third goal.
Lingard made it 4-0 three minutes after the restart and Van Persie pulled one back for the Turkish team with seven minutes remaining.
“It is three points and that is what we needed,” said Mourinho.
“We knew after the first defeat (1-0 at Feyenoord) it was important to get nine points at home and a few more away, so it was a very important victory for us.”
Fenerbahce coach Dick Advocaat said: “The first 30 minutes, the game was balanced, with United having more possession, but not creating many chances.
“But if you give goals away against a team like United, with the quality they have, you’re asking for problems.”
The pressure had been mounting on Inter boss De Boer after a woeful start to the season that left them 11th in Serie A and point-less in Europe.
After successive group K defeats, De Boer’s possession-based style had come under the microscope and they looked a struggling side as Southampton created a string of good chances.
Just as the Premier League club were cranking up the heat, however, Antonio Candreva swept the ball home in the 67th minute. Marcelo Brozovic was sent off late in the tie but Inter managed to hold on.
Roma captain Francesco Totti made his 100th European appearance for the club at home to Austria Vienna but his night was marred as the visitors fought back from 3-1 down to snatch a point.
Two goals from Roma’s Stephan El Shaarawy cancelled out Raphael Holzhauser’s early opener and when Totti laid on his second assist for Alessandro Florenzi to volley the ball in, the hosts looked home and dry.
But substitute Dominik Prokop and Olarenwaju Kayode scored in quick succession to grab a share of the spoils in Group E.
Rampant Shakhtar thrashed Belgian side Gent 5-0 in group H and Schalke edged past Krasnodar 1-0 thanks to an early goal from Yevhen Konoplyanka in group I.
Zenit were in a spot of bother when they fell behind against Irish side Dundalk but goals from Robert Mak and Brazilian Giuliano clinched a 2-1 triumph, their third straight victory in group D.
Four-times European champions Ajax Amsterdam saw their 100 per cent start in group G halted by Celta Vigo after a 2-2 draw in Spain.


Worst to first in 48 hours: Paul Pogba ‘phenomenal’ in Manchester United’s victory over Fenerbahce

Manchester United’s Paul Pogba celebrates with Matteo Darmian (left) and Juan Mata (right) after scoring the third goal in their Europa League tie against Fenerbahce at Old Trafford. Photo: EPA

Britain Football Soccer - Manchester United v Fenerbahce SK - UEFA Europa League Group Stage - Group A - Old Trafford, Manchester, England - 20/10/16 Manchester United's Paul Pogba scores their third goal Action Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Inter Milan's Italian midfielder Antonio Candreva celebrates after scoring a goal during the Europa League group K football match between Inter and Southampton at the San Siro Stadium in Milan on October 20, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE

Britain Football Soccer - Manchester United v Fenerbahce SK - UEFA Europa League Group Stage - Group A - Old Trafford, Manchester, England - 20/10/16 Fenerbahce's Robin van Persie scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Roma's Francesco Totti heads the ball during the Europa League group E soccer match between Roma and Austria Vienna, at Rome’s Olympic Stadium Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016. The match ended 3 - 3. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Manchester United's French striker Anthony Martial celebrates scoring their second goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Europa League group A football match between Manchester United and Fenerbahce at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on October 20, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFF

Sport

Football

World’s most expensive player repays some of his fee with two goals in 4-1 Europa League victory


Worst to first in 48 hours: Paul Pogba ‘phenomenal’ in Manchester United’s victory over Fenerbahce

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}World’s most expensive player repays some of his fee with two goals in 4-1 Europa League victory

World’s most expensive player repays some of his fee with two goals in 4-1 Europa League victory